Yorkshire edtech startup launches “incredible” activity platform with 100 schools targeted

An education technology firm based in Doncaster is launching an app based around the mental and physical wellbeing of school pupils across the UK with 100 schools expected to sign up in the first year.

Myphizz is an app designed to encourage the mass participation of physical activity in both primary and secondary schools. Using a live leaderboard, children have the ability to set their own imaginative and creative challenges in classrooms, playgrounds, or at home and compare results both across their school and nationally.

Teachers also have access to a functional control dashboard which measures individual pupils’ activity levels.

By drawing on the expertise of schools, the app gives pupils control over their own physical activity and supplements school curriculums. The app also works with a growing number of inspirational role models to encourage children to become more active.

One of those role models is British Olympic sprinter, Adam Gemili. He said: “The mental and physical wellbeing of children has never been more crucial; with lockdown restrictions having a negative impact on activity levels, many children are now sadly not meeting the recommended level of exercise.

“Myphizz gives children autonomy and empowers them to manage their own levels of physical activity through choosing exactly the types of exercise they enjoy. Whether they’re completely new to physical activity and enjoy inventing their own fun and wacky physical challenges, or they’re an aspiring athlete!”

Anthony McBride, a founder of myphizz, commented: “A key part of the myphizz app has been building on our positive relationships with schools that we have through our other projects. It’s crucial that we ensure inclusivity for pupils, while providing schools with a sustainable way of offering more creative opportunities for physical activity.

“With schools still being impacted by the pandemic and children potentially missing out on physical activity whilst isolating at home, myphizz provides a way for schools to continue communicating and engaging pupils in exercise whilst not in the school setting.”

Siobhan Roe, teacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Halifax who’s used the app, added: “myphizz has been a huge hit amongst our year three pupils. There’s been such a buzz in the classroom with every single pupil involved in creating, sharing and accomplishing activities.”